( Part two! )

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For a moment, he didn't know where he was. Lying there with his eyes closed, he could hear the sound of the waves on the beach, and the cry of sea birds, just as he could back at the beach where the kid lived. And if he breathed in, he was met with the scent of roses and warm skin, just as he had been every morning since the end of the war. But something was different this morning. The light was coming from the wrong direction, and the bed he lay in was much softer than the futon mattress he was used to. Prying open azure eyes, he peered around...and smiled as he remembered. Stifling a yawn, he closed his eyes again, nuzzled his face into the hair of the young woman by his side, and sighed happily.

"Someone sure sounds happy," he heard her murmur drowsily. "I'm surprised you're awake this early.."

"How early is early?" he asked, reaching out to the side of the bed to fumble for his watch.

"Early enough," she replied, pulling the comforter over her head. "Go back to sleep.."

Squinting at the watch, Mwu grinned. 7.15AM. No wonder she was still tired. We did get to sleep pretty late last night... Pressing a kiss to the bare skin of her shoulder, he slipped out of bed. Murrue was already asleep, and only murmured something incoherent when he tucked the covers around her a little tighter before leaving her in peace.

The scenery outside was just as peaceful as it had been the day before, the fields of tall grass dotted with wildflowers leading down to the ocean in the distance. His only companions for miles aside from Murrue were a few sea birds, and that was just what he wanted - what he needed.

I was surprised when she suggested this trip, but I understand why she wanted it. She says that it was to help me adjust to a peaceful life, but I'm pretty sure this was just as much for her as it was for me.

Fixing himself a cup of coffee, Mwu sat down on the porch, closing his eyes at the feel of the breeze. He was happy to be here, happy to experience total peace after the chaos and guilt of the last two years, but as much as he'd needed to come here, Murrue had needed it just as much, if not more so. She'd fought as hard as anyone, perhaps even harder because she'd volunteered for it, volunteered to protect her friends and adopted home country. What did I fight for? I fought for my master, like the good obedient soldier I was. My reason for fighting...turned out to be no reason at all. Not like hers...

Lost in thought, at first he didn't notice that the rain had begun to fall, until a rather large drop fell from the veranda and right onto the tip of his scarred nose. Blinking in surprise, he looked up at the grey sky, at the gentle curtain of rain hissing as it hit the grassy field.

Rain. How long has it been since I saw rain? Since I felt it? Grinning suddenly, Mwu stood up and walked out into the field, bare feet rapidly becoming soaked by the wet grass. The rain fell constantly, drenching him in a matter of minutes, but he didn't mind. Instead he just smiled, tilting his head into the deluge, blue eyes shining with happiness.

He was nowhere in the house, the tiny pine-scented rooms empty and silent. The kettle was still warm, and a few spilled coffee granules speckled the kitchen countertop. The door was open, and from where she stood, Murrue could hear the soft hiss of rain outside. Smiling, she picked up a blanket from the back of the sofa and draped it around her shoulders before stepping out onto the porch to watch the weather. It so rarely rained back home in the southern part of Orb that on the few occasions it did, it was more of a blessing than an inconvienience.

"Mwu?"

He was out there, simply standing in the middle of the field, head tipped back into the rain. He hadn't seemed to notice her calling, and she sighed, lifting the blanket to cover her head before slipping out into the rain. "Mwu!"

He noticed then, turning around with an expression of surprise. "Murrue?" His blonde hair was plastered to his scalp, tendrils covering one blue eye. He was absolutely soaked to the skin, yet it didn't seem to bother him at all. In fact he seemed...exhilarated somehow. Upon seeing her, he smiled, reaching out to wrap the blanket more firmly around her.

"What are you doing out here?" he asked softly, leaning down to kiss the tip of her nose. "Go on back inside...you'll catch cold in just that nightdress.."

"And you won't?" she asked, gesturing to the T-shirt and shorts he wore. "You're soaked through.." Taking his hand, she began to pull him back toward the house. Mwu wrinkled his nose, but followed her quietly.

"What were you thinking?" Murrue huffed crossly. "Standing out in the rain like that?" He peeked up at her through the curtain of flattened blonde hair and smiled a little sheepishly.

"I didn't remember what it felt like," he said softly. "The rain, I mean. Not since I was a kid. Standing there like that...it just felt good. It made me feel alive.."

His response hadn't been quite what she expected, and for a moment, she wasn't sure how to react. Then finally, she smiled, leaning forward and kissing the top of his head.

"Then that's a good thing," she told him, brushing the wet hair from his face. "But you'll get sick if you keep sitting there like this. Go take a shower and get some dry clothes on, and I'll make us some breakfast, okay?"

He sang in the shower. From where she was busily working to prepare breakfast, Murrue could hear him perfectly well, even over the sound of the rushing water and sizzle of cooking food. And she couldn't help smiling, both at the tuneless melody...and the memories it brought back.

Mwu always sang or whistled in the shower. Even though he admitted himself that he couldn't carry a tune in a bucket, he always did it. But this is the first time I've heard it since he came back. Perhaps it's a sign that...he's more comfortable now? That he's returning to the way he was before?

"Smells good," she heard him say cheerfully, and she nodded, but didn't look up. Hiding a smile, she kept stirring the tomatoes.

"It'll be ready in a moment," she announced...then jumped as she felt warm arms around her waist. "Mwu!"

He chuckled, nuzzling his face into her neck happily. "You smell better though..."

She tried to huff, but was having a problem breathing, pink gathering on her cheeks. "You know that if you distract me, this'll get burnt, right?"

"But it's fun to distract you," he whined. "And," he continued with a whisper in her ear, "you missed this, didn't you?"

"No," replied Murrue shortly, trying to wriggle free of his grasp. "I did not. It was annoying."

"Well, I missed it," he murmured. "And I missed you. In a way, I'm glad they took away my memories.."

That made her blink. Turning off the stove, she turned around in his arms, and studied Mwu for a moment, caught the seriousness in those blue eyes, and frowned. "Why would you say that?"

"Because if I had been there those two years - with the Alliance, I mean - and I had remembered you, remembered everything, but not been able to be with you...it would have hurt too much.."

"I know," she replied, looking away. "I know..."

He sighed, brushing the back of his hand against her cheek. "I'm sorry," he said softly. "I didn't mean.."

"I know that too," she replied, reaching up to take his hand. "And it's not your fault." Standing up on her tiptoes, she kissed him gently. "Don't you ever blame yourself."

Mwu smiled at that, ruffling her hair. "Thanks, sweetheart." He brightened as an idea occured to him. "Hey, you want to go for a walk later? We...have a lot to catch up on.."

"That we do," she answered with a smile of her own, kissing him again. "And we have a whole fortnight.."

"We have...the rest of our lives," he murmured, glancing away and pretending not to notice her sudden blush.

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(Fwee :smile:

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